Paradise

On Friday the 13th after a 6 hour long ride we finally left the Gulf of Mexico and entered the Pacific Ocean in Marathon, Florida. After a week of go go go we were so happy to arrive in the keys where the water is aquamarine and the attitude is laid-back and joyous. As we pulled into our marina all of the other boaters on our dock were all watching and waving as if we were their long lost friends returning from a long journey. We didn’t know what was going on. We were assisted with tying up and within minutes boat neighbors were coming by to saying hello and welcoming us to Marathon and the Keys. Our next-door neighbors were particularly friendly and welcoming. Former midwesterners like ourselves they were very happy that we chose this marina and told us what all there was to see and do and gave us the lay of the land. We checked in and got back to the boat just in time to enjoy our first sunset from the stern of the boat. Sunsets are very important in the Keys and everyone takes the time to stop what they are doing and watch and appreciate the end of the day. We had some drinks, spoke with the neighbors who were also on their stern watching and were very happy to be in such a special place. It felt like paradise. 

First Sunset in Marathon From Boat

The next day we finally got to sleep in after multiple days in a row of getting up at 5:45a.m. and traveling all day. We decided to have a very relaxing day and not leave the marina. We swam at the pool which is nicely heated and not crowded then made our way to the marina bar where they have happy hour everyday from 3-6 to enjoy a few libations and a appetizer. We made it back just in time to again enjoy a nice sunset and watch some football playoffs. While I cooled down in the air conditioning and watched football Jeff went over to the neighbors boat where they talked navigation and got to know each other. Eventually I too made my way over and was glad that I did. Mary and Barry are very nice people and we learned that we have a lot in common with them. They have an amazing Flemming 55 which they generously gave us a tour of. We returned to our boat, made dinner and finished watching football. 

Sunday we decided we wanted to look around and see Marathon. We took our bikes down from the boat and went exploring. We learned that our friends Artie and Laura were staying at the marina next door to ours so we went over to say hello. We have traveled on and off with them since Canada and it was good to see them. After our ride we returned to the marina and  went to the pool and happy hour at the bar. This was defiantly a routine I could get used to. Again we watched an amazing sunset and watched football playoffs.

Manatee off Neighbors Boat

Lunch with Artie

Sunset off the Stern

Originally we had planned to be in Marathon for just two days and then move on to Key West but due to high seas (8-10feet) and big winds (up to 30mph) we were forced to stay put. At first I was disappointed by this but once I realized what a great place we were I was okay. We decided to rent a car for a couple of days and visit Key West and a couple other places via land. This seemed like a good compromise to me. Early Monday morning we got our rental car and headed for Key West which is an hour drive from Marathon. By boat it would have taken us over 6 hours. We were told by our neighbors to take the Conch Train to get a good tour and lay of the island and then decide what we wanted to do from there. When we arrived in Key West it was crazy. Cars and people everywhere, packed stores and streets. I felt like I was in a big city. People had told us we would be good with just one day here and now I understood why. It was hot and humid as it is everyday in Florida. Even when it’s chilly its thick and muggy. I am still adjusting as you can see. The train ride was nice and we really got a good sense of Key West. 

Conch Train Key West

Riding Conch Train 

After in the train ride we grabbed lunch in one of the many touristy restaurants. The food was pretty good but nothing to shout about. Think Disneyland. From lunch we went to Ernest Hemingway’s house. We got a tour and heard about his escapades on the island and saw pictures from when he was there including all four of his wives. The house looked grand from the outside but inside was modestly furnished with not signs of fame or wealth. The most interesting part of the house for me was his writing studio. Separate from the house but connected via a catwalk all of his books, desk and chair were just as they were when he wrote there. I could picture him sitting there typing away.

Hemingway's House

Hemingway's Writing Studio

Inside Hemingway's House

Bar Where Hemingway Drank

We took a leisurely stroll by the water and looked at boats and happened to run into some loopers that we know from Ohio. It’s so funny how on this trip we just randomly run into people on the streets that we know with no plan or knowledge of them being there. The same thing happened to us when we were in Panama City. We were at a holiday parade and ran into this same couple stating on the side of the street watching. We grabbed a beer and a snack and got ready to walk to the sunset celebration at Mallory Square. This is a nightly celebration that has been going on in Key West for many many years. It includes street venders, performers, musicians and lots of people. We watched a man swallow a sword, a scary looking bongo player, a keyboard player and a variety of artists selling their work. It was quite a scene.

Sunset Mallory Square Key West

Gathering for Sunset at Mallory Square

Gathering for Sunset at Mallory Square

Sword Swallower at Mallory Square

Sword Swallower at Mallory Square

Sunset Celebration

Sunset Key West

Sunset Key West

Bongo Player Mallory Square

After sunset we made our way back to the car and happily drove out of Key West. While it’s a place everyone should visit it was just way too crowded and disneyland like for us. We were so happy to be returning to Marathon where things were more mellow and laid back. 

Yesterday we went on another car trip to both Islamorada and Key Largo. Both places we thought we would visit by boat but later found out that we have too deep a draft (the distance from the waterline to the lowest part of the boat) to get into these places. At the rondezvous we were told to visit Lorelei’s restaurant in Islamorada so that was our first stop. It was a huge outdoor facility at a marina that had nightly concerts and severed good food. We had a great view of the Florida Bay and boats moored in the distance. We strolled the docks and quickly realized why we couldn’t get in there. We saw some interesting tour boats too.

Tour Boat Islamorada

From there we went to Key Largo which turned out to be a whole lot of nothing. We could tell we were starting to get closer to the mainland because all of sudden we were on a two lane road an there was a lot of traffic. From end to end of the Keys it’s just one long road. Near Marathon it’s just one lane and not a lot of traffic. This was feeling too city like for us and we quickly turned around and made our way back to Marathon and the marina where we were more then happy to be returning. We poured some wine and got ready for our nightly sunset experience. From our stern we have the best unrestricted view in all of Marathon. Our marina is situated at the end of the island and our view is wide open. Once again the sunset didn’t disappoint. 

Sunset Marathon

We are planning on leaving here on Friday weather permitting and slowly making our way northeast towards Miami where we will stay for a week and hang out with Tot, Jason, Jordan, Laura, Eddie, Sami, Bruce, Rosey, Brenda and Zach. It will be quite the family reunion.